Women Like Me Stories & Business

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What happens when a 12-year-old girl locks herself in a school counselor's office to escape her intoxicated, raging mother? For Katherine Ritchie, this moment became the catalyst for breaking generations of family trauma.

Katherine takes us through her harrowing childhood with a mother struggling with addiction and unresolved trauma. From bizarre 3 AM wake-up calls to rearranging furniture to having her mother's hand around her throat in a moment of intimidation, Katherine's story reveals the subtle yet devastating impact of emotional abuse.

After entering foster care, Katherine embarked on a...

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What happens when a life begins with abandonment? Gloria Wiebe's story starts with being placed in a box in a snowbank as a newborn—rejected by a family consumed by religious shame. But that first act of rejection would neither define nor defeat her.

Gloria takes us on an unforgettable journey through abandonment, trauma, and ultimately, profound healing. She shares the pivotal moment when, as a young mother, she looked at her children and made the decision to break free from destructive patterns. "Gloria, get up, stand up, shake it off no...

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The journey from talented creative to successful entrepreneur is rarely straightforward, especially when life throws unexpected challenges your way. Shea Bryars embodies resilience as she shares how she built a thriving interior design business while navigating single motherhood and overcoming breast cancer.

With disarming honesty, Shea reveals the pivotal moment she recognized her own limitations. "The smartest thing I ever did was hire my counterpart," she explains, highlighting how delegating financial tasks transformed her business. This wisdom applies universally: identify your unique strengths, focus intensely there, and partner with others who...

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What if the beautiful nursery you've created for your baby is actually filled with invisible toxins? When interior designer Alexandra Shield found herself sitting on the empty floor of her unborn son's room, overwhelmed by research on harmful chemicals lurking in seemingly innocent furnishings, she knew she had to make a change.

Alexandra takes us on a journey through the hidden dangers in our homes – from PVC-laden blackout curtains that off-gas harmful phthalates to the chemicals coating "performance fabrics" marketed to families. With her decade of interior design experience an...

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What happens when a 12-year-old girl and her horse form a bond that spans over three decades? In this heartfelt conversation, Tamara shares the remarkable story behind her chapter "A Girl and Her Horse: How the Adventure Came Alive" featured in the upcoming book "Beautiful, Broken and Becoming."

From guiding tourists on mountain trails as a pre-teen to competing across British Columbia, Washington, and Alberta, Tamara's journey with her horse, Chance, reveals something profound about healing and resilience. 

Now 34 years into their relationship, she describes with tender emotion how t...

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The moment we begin giving away all our energy, attention, and care to others without replenishing ourselves, we start dwelling in an empty vessel. Stacey Collins knows this reality intimately.

Stacey, a writer, coach, and musician,shares her profound journey from trauma and loss to rediscovering herself. With raw honesty, Stacey reveals how contributing to the "Beautiful, Broken, Becoming" anthology became a pivotal step in her healing process.

"I had to stop worrying about everyone else and take care of me," Stacey explains, addressing the guilt many women feel...

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What happens when the lessons from our childhood shape our ability to face adult challenges? Theresa Campbell's journey from competitive figure skating to published author reveals the profound impact of early mentorship and female friendship on conquering life's inevitable hardships.

Theresa joins host Julie Fairhurst to discuss her contribution to the upcoming book "Beautiful, Broken, and Becoming," releasing July 25th. Drawing from her background as a community newspaper reporter and educational assistant, Theresa articulates how her youth spent training on ice provided more than athletic skills—it built the mental fortitude an...

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What happens when a talented engineer reaches her breaking point with workplace inequality? She builds something better.

Monica Hernandez, founder of Infinity Growth, takes us through her remarkable journey from Colombian immigrant to successful entrepreneur and advocate for women in STEM fields. The turning point in her 17-year corporate engineering career came when she was instructed to pay an equally qualified female candidate less than a male counterpart simply because "she only asked for 80." That day, Monica decided if there was no workplace offering equal pay and opportunity, she would create...

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What if the secret to success isn't about grinding harder, but about feeling better? Performance coach Brandi Hudson flips the script on achievement in this eye-opening conversation about reclaiming personal power.

Brandi Hudson is a Performance Coach, speaker, and former executive who helps ambitious professionals create sustainable results through a repeatable process for success that doesn't require burnout or spinout.

Her work combines strategy, systems, and emotional intelligence to help people trust their power and recognize that their success is inevitable. Before founding her coaching firm, Brandi spent 20 years...

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When was the last time you felt truly seen and heard? For award-winning tech professional Padma Dayananda, a dramatic wake-up call changed everything. After collapsing at her office and being rushed to the hospital, she discovered what many high-achieving women experience but rarely acknowledge – her body had been screaming for attention while her mind kept pushing forward.

"I used to dream of Excel sheets and project plans and strategies," Padma reveals in this raw, honest conversation. "I thought I'm really good at it, I love it, I thrive in this, until on...

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What happens when your entire world collapses in just four sentences? For Heather Shtuka, that moment came through a text message revealing her son Ryan hadn't returned from a house party. In this profoundly moving conversation, Heather shares her journey through what experts call "ambiguous loss" – the unique pain of grief without closure.

Heather takes us through the immediate aftermath of Ryan's disappearance in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, and the unexpected challenges that followed. When professional search teams departed after just one day, she and her husband, Scott, found themselves becoming im...

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What happens when life forces you to rebuild from scratch? For Melodie Dee, a devastating divorce at age 33 became the unexpected catalyst for complete transformation. In this candid conversation with host Julie Fairhurst, Melodie reveals how she evolved from a shy, uncertain teacher into a confident marketing manager, coach, and entrepreneur by embracing vulnerability and taking consistent, courageous action.

Melodie's journey began with a decision to stop living for others and start honouring her authentic self. After analyzing what wasn't working in her teaching career, she took the terrifying leap into...

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"You are strong, you are smart, you are beautiful." These words of affirmation that Shauna Browne whispers to her young granddaughters reflect the empowering leadership philosophy she brings to her thriving Molly Maid franchise.

From the moment Shauna takes us through her journey from helping at her parents' cleaning business to becoming a successful franchise owner herself, we discover what truly sets exceptional leaders apart. Her day begins at 5 AM - not just for physical exercise, but for the mental preparation that allows her to lead effectively. "If I'm not 100%," she...

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A history teacher with deteriorating health takes a leap of faith into the unexpected world of long-haul trucking, only to discover it's the perfect path to becoming an award-winning author. This is the remarkable journey of Melodie Romeo (pen name Adele Lane), whose career transformations illuminate the power of reinvention.

After 24 years teaching history in Mississippi, Melodie faced a crossroads. The mounting pressures of education were taking a physical toll, yet starting over in an office job meant significant pay cuts. Her solution? Obtain a commercial driver's license and hit the...

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Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly attract their desires while others struggle despite their best efforts? The answer lies in understanding that manifestation isn't magical thinking; it's a precise energetic alignment that transforms wishes into reality.

Manifestation begins with speaking our desires aloud. "When I speak it, I'm giving my desire a name," the episode explains. "I'm declaring it out loud to the universe and myself." Words aren't just sounds; they're creative forces that generate momentum. By verbally articulating what we want, we activate a...

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What does a 12-year-old author have to teach us about meditation, mindfulness, and discovering our inner light? The answer might surprise you.

Lucas Jacques joins us for a conversation that will leave you both inspired and humbled. At just 12 years old, Lucas has accomplished what many adults only dream of—authoring a powerful book called "The Light Within" that's packed with wisdom about connecting to your inner peace through mindfulness and friendship.

The journey began after a car accident when Lucas was just six years old. What started as a...

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Step into the imaginative world of Frank Talaber, a prolific Canadian author who has mastered the art of blending mystery, spirituality, and the supernatural. 

Frank's journey began with "Ravens Lament," inspired by the sacred golden spruce of Haida Gwaii. What makes his creative process truly remarkable is his connection to the stories themselves. At Victoria Museum, he experienced voices attempting to communicate with him, which a First Nations reader later suggested was spirits reaching out to someone who could share their narratives. This profound experience shaped Frank's approach to weaving Indigenous a...

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Imagine going from a life of luxury with Bentleys, private planes and homes around the world to sleeping on a friend's couch with three small children after escaping a dangerous marriage. This was Geeta Sidhu-Robb's reality before she transformed her life and built multiple groundbreaking businesses that would change women's health in the UK forever.

Today, as founder of GSR Coaching and CEO of Nosh Detox, Geeta has helped nearly 19,000 women transform their relationship with their bodies, particularly during perimenopause – what she calls "the single biggest metabolic upheaval" in a woman's li...

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What if the biggest barriers to your success aren't external obstacles, but hidden patterns within your own subconscious? Transformational coach Brittni Cosgrove reveals how our magnetic energy attracts precisely what we're internally aligned with – for better or worse.

Drawing from her extensive experience as a certified master coach, breathwork facilitator, and resident coach for the nonprofit Travel Through Trauma, Brittni shares powerful insights about breaking free from self-sabotage. She explains that true magnetism comes not from what we do, but from who we authentically are, highlighting how radical self-acceptance creates a ma...

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Have you ever experienced a moment that completely altered the trajectory of your life? Those rare turning points that reveal your purpose in startling clarity are exactly what sparked the Women Like Me movement.

Through a mystical dream instructing "you are your purpose," followed by the word "write," and later the devastating loss of her 24-year-old niece to a fentanyl overdose, Julie Fairhurst found her calling. These pivotal moments led her to create a platform where women could share their most painful, authentic stories. What began with 13 women has exploded into...

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What keeps women from playing big in leadership? How can we create cultures where failure isn't feared but celebrated? And why is self-prioritization not selfish, but essential?

Leadership strategist Erin Herman tackles these questions in this robust conversation, drawing from her two decades driving global impact at the United Nations and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Erin reveals that while men apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of qualifications, women typically wait until they meet 100%. This hesitation stems not merely from self-doubt but from navigating systems not...

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What happens when a corporate professional steps away from the startup world to help women reconnect with their bodies' wisdom? 

Dayna reveals how her transformative "traffic light" approach helps women understand why they feel stuck despite their best intentions. When the mind shows a green light for a particular path, but the heart flashes red and the gut signals yellow, we experience the frustration of mixed messages that prevent forward motion. 

Dayna April is a somatic movement guide and transformational leadership coach who helps leaders unlock th...

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Meet Tara Harris, the visionary founder and CEO behind FemiFlex – the world's first pantyless panty liner that's revolutionizing feminine hygiene. When a medical procedure left Tara unable to wear thongs comfortably, she faced a common dilemma: visible panty lines with regular underwear or going without the protection women need. Rather than accepting this limitation, she created an innovative solution that's disrupting a $36 billion industry.

The genius of FemiFlex lies in its medical-grade silicone that adheres directly to the body, providing necessary moisture absorption without the bulk or visible lines of traditional un...

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Sexual health is a conversation too often shrouded in discomfort, shame, and silence. Yet, as this candid discussion reveals, it's a critical component of women's overall wellbeing that deserves honest, open dialogue.

Tina Bieber shares her powerful journey from experiencing a complete loss of libido during perimenopause to becoming a passionate advocate for women's sexual wellness. Her transformation led her to create Tina's Treasures, a safe space where women can explore intimate wellness tools and education without judgment. Through her experiences as both a sexual health consultant and menopause coach, Tina...

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Prepare to have your understanding of purpose completely transformed in this profound conversation with Leanne Giavedoni, certified spiritual life coach and creator of the Success Reset System. Having made the remarkable transition from physiotherapist to spiritual guide, Leanne shares the deeply personal journey that led her to discover that physical symptoms often point to deeper spiritual misalignments.

"Your purpose is not what you think it is," Leanne reveals, challenging the conventional notion that purpose must be tied to career or achievement. Through her comprehensive understanding of human design, she illuminates how...

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Ever wondered why some people seem determined to be right at all costs? According to therapist Tanya Ruckstuhl, this behaviour stems from "tremendous insecurity and fragility." When we don't feel worthy enough, we inflate ourselves with arrogance as a protective mechanism.

Tanya brings twenty years of clinical experience and a fascinating multicultural background to this conversation about authentic human connection. Growing up between Jamaica and El Salvador during its civil war gave her unique insights into how people interpret each other across differences—skills desperately needed in today's polarized society.

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What powerful truths remain unwritten in your life? This thought-provoking episode explores the paralyzing fear of judgment that keeps our most authentic stories locked away.

We all wear masks. Behind every casual "I'm fine" and perfectly filtered photo lives a richer, more complex truth—the heartbreaks that shaped us, the failures that taught us, and the messy middles we navigate daily. Yet these authentic experiences, the ones we're most afraid to share, might be exactly what someone else needs to hear. Your story of survival could become another person's roadmap through th...

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Perfectionism, fear of failure, impostor syndrome—these aren't just annoyances, they're the invisible barriers keeping ambitious women from building the businesses and lives they deserve. 

Carina Groombridge knows this journey intimately. After transitioning from mechanical engineering to mindset coaching while raising four children, she's mastered the art of helping women identify and overcome the mental blocks holding them back.

"I help you manage your brain," Carina explains, describing how our own thoughts create unnecessary roadblocks to success. Whether it's the fear of judgment, people-pleasing tendencies, or the crushing weight of...

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What happens when you discover the power to control your thoughts? For mindset coach Kandace Stoneman, this revelation transformed her life from debilitating depression to purposeful coaching. In this deeply personal conversation, Kandace shares her journey from dropping out of school due to mental health struggles to founding Guide Your Mind, where she now helps teen girls and women break free from emotional clutter.

The conversation explores the challenges today's teen girls face, particularly with social media creating unrealistic comparisons and heightened anxiety. Kandace explains why working with both...

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What if the secret to sustainable success isn't working harder, but resting better? Ehmandah Ramsey, known as "The Chill CEO," joins us to challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity and ambition. 

Ehmandah's journey from burnout to breakthrough began when she found herself overwhelmed—running businesses, serving on multiple boards, living in a transitional home for women and children, and being a single mom. Rather than pushing through, she made a radical decision: prioritize rest and reclaim her passion. The weight that lifted from her shoulders became the foundation for her...

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Menopause has long been shrouded in silence, misunderstanding, and often unnecessary suffering – but energy healer Jax LaPlante is determined to change that. In this transformative conversation, Jax reveals how her signature "Blossom Balance" program is helping women navigate menopause with grace and even joy.

Jax's healing journey began with her own health crisis. While caring for her terminally ill mother, she developed severe diverticulitis that conventional medicine couldn't resolve. When essential oils provided remarkable relief, she discovered her calling to help others through natural healing methods. Today, she combines raindrop technique (us...

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We don't prepare parents for one of life's most terrifying possibilities: having a child who wants to end their life. Mental health expert Tara Rolstad knows this reality from both sides – first as an aunt to nieces with severe trauma-related mental health issues, then as a mother whose own daughter battled depression and suicidality.

What happens after the emergency room visit when your child expresses suicidal thoughts? Where's the manual for the morning after, or the days that follow? Frustrated by the complete absence of resources for parents in this situation, Ro...

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Why are so many women struggling with unexplained fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, and disrupted sleep patterns—even when their doctors insist everything is "normal"? Hormone health expert Andrea Buckley illuminates this frustrating reality while sharing powerful insights gained from both professional expertise and personal experience.

Andrea's journey into hormone health began with her own perimenopausal symptoms in her mid-40s. Finding little support from conventional medicine, she discovered natural solutions that transformed her well-being, ultimately launching her into a new career dedicated to helping other women navigate these challenging transitions.

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Sharon Storoschuk spent years living a divided life - respected director in public health research by day, spiritual seeker exploring Reiki and energy work on weekends. She never imagined her true calling would emerge after being laid off in 2015, launching her journey as an intuitive coach, energy healer, and medium.

"I am surprised, constantly surprised, at how successful I am," Sharon shares, reflecting on her transformation from analytical researcher to spiritual guide. Her story reveals the powerful shift that happens when we stop hiding our authentic selves and listen to what...

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Meet Lynda Easler, a registered nurse with over 40 years of experience who transformed her personal struggle with menopausal hair loss into a mission to help women over 40 regrow their hair—and their confidence.

Lynda takes us on her journey from dedicated healthcare provider to women's hair health advocate, revealing the moment her own thinning hair sent her confidence plummeting. "My confidence went down to my boots—not even to my boots, ten feet under," she confesses, describing how she hid under hats and withdrew from social situations.

The conversation dive...

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What happens when a 6-foot-tall Canadian woman travels to 60+ countries, falls in love with doctors across three continents, and develops the rare ability to authentically connect with anyone, anywhere? You get Jessica Brighton-Field—Europe's top female speaker of 2022 and a self-described "vulnerable, messy, and smelly" woman on a mission to help others embrace their authentic selves.

Jessica doesn't just talk about transformation—she's lived it. From narrowly escaping taxi scams in Costa Rica to discovering surprising friendships in Egypt, her global adventures have shaped her unique approach to communication and human conn...

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What does your "rich life" really look like? For Michelle Cooper, founder of Alchemy Accounting and creator of the Rich Life Revolution program, this question sparked a profound realization while trying on $2,000 Louboutin shoes she would never wear. "I was getting caught up in other people's version of what a rich life looks like," she shares in this eye-opening conversation.

Drawing from her journey as an accountant who dug deeper into the psychological barriers holding her clients back, Michelle reveals the startling truth about our relationship with money. After losing both...

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Christina Flach's journey began with a deeply personal moment - helping her mother, who battled brain cancer, prepare for a date night with her father. This simple act revealed the transformative power of makeup, not just physically but emotionally. "I can make someone feel different with waving my little makeup brush wand and making them look like the best versions of themselves," she explains. This realization sparked a remarkable career path that would lead her to become a celebrity makeup artist represented by three prestigious agencies, the founder of Pretty Girl Makeup, a...

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What if your relationship with money isn't just about numbers, but about freedom from shame and finding your own sense of worth? Billie Sinclair, a credit and financial counselor with over 25 years of experience, reveals how consumerism has trapped many of us in cycles of debt by convincing us our value is tied to our possessions.

Having stumbled into the financial world at just 19 years old, Billie brings a unique perspective that bridges sophisticated financial knowledge with practical everyday advice. She describes how her early exposure to Merrill Lynch gave her...

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Dana Martin opens the doors to a remarkable initiative hiding in plain sight – a free store housed in a storage locker transforming lives across Chilliwack. As a member of Seroptimist International, Dana reveals how Heather's Hope Chest provides essential household items to women transitioning from crises, creating homes and rebuilding dignity.

The magic happens when clients first see the meticulously organized store, stocked entirely through community donations. What starts as uncertainty transforms into hope as women select quality dishes, bedding, kitchen tools, and more – items that represent not just material possessions, but...